Dunfermline and Falkirk moved ever closer to safety in the Bank of Scotland Premier League after a largely uninspiring draw at East End Park.

Almost 7,000 watched the action in Fife but they were disappointed by a game which only came to life in the closing minutes.

But with rock-bottom Livingston losing their 13th straight league game at Motherwell, the draw suited both teams.

Falkirk are now 10 points ahead of the Lions and the Pars 11 clear with just six games left.

Jack Ross provided the Bairns with a fluke 22nd-minute opener, but a fine strike from Mark urchill handed Dunfermline a deserved point five minutes after the break.

Dunfermline, with Noel Hunt and Burchill back leading the line, opened more purposefully.

A dangerous Scott Muirhead free-kick from the right was cleared for a corner inside two minutes.

Falkirk, roared on by an away support of around 2,500, struggled to settle and a darting run from Hunt almost produced something for the Pars after 11 minutes but his cutback was scrambled clear for another corner.

Jamie McCunnie's cross then picked out Burchill but his header was weak, before Scott Thomson's hooked volley from another Muirhead corner was easily held by on-loan Arsenal man Mark Howard.

Out of the blue, the visitors went ahead in the 22nd minute.

Patrick Cregg swept the ball out to Ross on the right from where the full-back steadied himself to measure a left-footed cross.

But even Ross was surprised to see his delivery misjudged by the recalled Allan McGregor and fly into the far corner.

As the game became increasingly scrappy, fans began to vent their anger at the home side's display.

Daniel McBreen tried his luck from distance when he flashed a 22-yard drive over after 38 minutes.

Then Kenny Milne came even closer five minutes later when he hit the bar with a header from Liam Craig's cross before the Pars were booed off by their own fans at half-time.

Dunfermline were handed the perfect chance to draw level seconds after the break when Greg Ross' lofted ball picked out Burchill in the box, but his first touch was poor and Howard gathered.

However the former Celtic striker made amends on 50 minutes with a delightful equaliser.

Hunt's knockdown from Scott Thomson's long free-kick fell perfectly to Burchill who turned to drill a 15-yard half-volley past the helpless Howard for his 12th of the season.

Police were forced to deal with some fighting in the Dunfermline crowd as tensions off the field boiled over.

Dunfermline almost swept into the lead after 66 minutes when, after a fine move, Ross fed Hunt and his left-footed strike narrowly went wide of the right post.

As the game steadily improved, Milne struck woodwork for a second time in the 74th minute with a raking 20-yard drive which flew past McGregor but hit the bar.

Both sides wanted the win and longer balls became the order of the day.

Six minutes from the end, Burchill almost grabbed the winner but his shot deflected wide from 16 yards.

Teams

Dunfermline McGregor, Labonte, Scott Wilson, Shields, Thomson,Ross, Mason, McCunnie, Muirhead, Hunt (Tarachulski 77),Burchill.

Subs Not Used: Halliwell, Tod, Daquin, Donnelly, Iain Campbell,

Phinn.

Booked: Tarachulski.

Goals: Burchill 50.

Falkirk Howard, Ross, Dodds, Lescinel, Milne, Rodrigues,Craig, Cregg, Thomson (Latapy 61), McBreen, Gow (Moutinho 71).

Subs Not Used: Ferguson, Lawrie, Lima, Twaddle, O'Donnell.

Booked: Lescinel.

Goals: Ross 21.

Att: 6,836

Ref: S Conroy (Scotland).